Trick or treating on Long Island can be loads of fun for everyone involved. Kids love dressing up and collecting candy, and adults enjoy talking an evening walk in the crisp fall air. Some of us even like to dress up along with our kids! Many of our canine clients at Dan’s Pet Care also love to join the fun on Halloween night. Dogs tend to get lots of attention from residents and other pedestrians, especially if they’re wearing their own costumes. Trick or treating also means your dog gets to spend lots of quality time with their family.

Of course, trick or treating can also pose some challenges and risks for your dog. Keep reading to discover a few of our favorite tips for keeping your dog safe, happy and healthy during trick or treating this Halloween!

Do a test run before it’s time to actually take your dog trick or treating

Some very calm, sweet dogs react in unpredictable ways when they’re suddenly put in unfamiliar situations. Has your dog ever worn a costume, or seen kids and adults wearing scary masks? Have they ever gone on a walk in an unfamiliar neighborhood in the evening before? How do they react when approaching a stranger’s home — especially if another dog begins to bark or approach? Make sure to try out all of these situations before Halloween actually arrives. That way, you can pinpoint any areas of concern and be ready to intervene when needed.

If you’re staying home to hand out treats, make sure your dog has a low-stimulation area to hide

Even if you won’t be going from door to door in search of Halloween treats, your dog can still be stressed out by trick or treaters. Even dogs who normally enjoy visitors might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of kids coming to your doorstep. Some kids’ costumes feature noisemaking elements, and these can take your dog by surprise. Humans often enjoy feeling a little scared or surprised on Halloween, but your dog won’t share in that enjoyment. Keep in mind that your visitors might be bringing dogs to the doorstep with them, and these dogs will be unpredictable.

If you’ll be welcoming trick or treaters to your front door, make sure your dog can get away from the noise in a designated space. Depending on the situation, it may be best to crate your dog away from the front door while you’re welcoming guests.

Monitor your dog carefully to prevent accidental ingestion

Your dog loves treats, just like kids on Halloween. Unfortunately, when dogs get into a Halloween candy stash, the results can be anything but fun. Candy is full of toxic or unknown ingredients. Chocolate can be especially dangerous for your dog, and even “healthy” treats can contain artificial sweeteners that will send your dog to the emergency vet’s office. Even the wrappers on many candies can harm your pet. Small bits of foil or plastic can easily get lodged in your dog’s digestive system and cause harm. To avoid all this, watch your dog carefully to make sure they aren’t getting into kids’ candy bags — or picking up stray pieces of candy from the sidewalk. Once you get home to store your candy, be sure to place it safely out of reach.

Use caution when deciding on a costume for your pet

Pet costumes can be adorable, but they aren’t right for every dog or every situation. If your dog isn’t used to wearing costumes, it’s not a good idea to try it out on Halloween night for the first time. They will probably be highly stimulated by ringing doorbells, shouting kids and extra foot traffic on the sidewalk. The additional stimulation of wearing a costume might be too much for your dog to handle.

If wearing a costume all evening isn’t right for your dog, you might still be able to snap a few photos of them in their outfit. Keep a close eye on your dog while they’re wearing their costume to guard against choking or tripping incidents.

Trust the experts with your dog’s care

If you need help caring for your dog, partner with the leading pet care company on Long Island. Dan’s Pet Care offers a broad spectrum of services, from grooming to boarding to walking and much more. Contact us today to get started!